Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-01


bestowed.
"Win there be no danger of the Indians
sallying out and attacking us?" asked
Paul Malerson.
"Not while Lsgona's word is passed
and my flag is flying" said the ranger.
81 would not trust yellow-skinned
Mexican if he had sworn to a truce; but
an Indian, as brave and proud as Lsgona
will not tell lie"
He stole my daughter after he had
promised not to-" said DelOrme.
"Not till after he had left your roof,
refusing presents ard favors from you
ana Paul." said the ma Or.
CHAPTER xxx.
Back, not quarter of mile beyond
it's dark and yawning mouth, that narrow
and fearful pass opened into very lap
of paradise. Hemme1 in upon every
side, there lay valley of many hundred
acres in extent, fertile almost beyond
nception-certainly beyond adequate
description. There were broad saVan-
nahs, upon which great herds of horses
and cattle were feeding; fields, also, OF
grain and fruit, fenced in with hedges of
thorny cactus; and the smoke of hundreds
of unique lodges rose in the otherwise
ChiIdren-the duskY sciOns of the Lipan
and the Comanche-could be seen playing
around in the pleasant avenues; mounted
warriors, armed cap-a-pie. rode to and
fro, exercising themselves and training
their wild steeds; and groups of women,
here and there, were using that tireless
weapon of offense and defense, so pecu-
liarly their OWn-the tongue.
~ or
end to very near the outside, strong
gaurd of watchful sentinels was posted,
| and it would seem impossible that the
camp should be surprised, except by one
who descended from the clouds.
In the center of this camp, or village,
was a lodge, much larger than the rest,
arranged with several compartments
The shields and plumes outside and upon
top of this denoted that it belonged to
the chief, and to this Lagona returned
after his interview with Major McCul-
! Tough under the truce flag.
Before the entrance stood two sentlnels
showing that any attempt made by Stella
! to leave when the chief was absent would
| be prevented.
In the inner apartment, seated in an
attitude and with q look of hopeless
despair, was the poor girl when Lagons
and Ada McAIpin returned. She looked
up. with her large, teartul eyes, when ne
entered; aud an expression OF mOurnfu
reprOach from her went deeper far INC
his heart, than would the most bitter re-
proaches, the most indignant rebukes.
| The feed which had been placed before
her was untasted-the fruit untouched
her eyes were red with weeping; her pale
face and sunkea cheeks told how muct
agony she suffered.
off the White Flower does not eat sh'
will die" said the chief, sadly.
"Of what use is life to me when l an
deprived of liberty?" replied Stella
m0urnfully. off you cage bird it viii
pine away and die"
off the White Flower will swear, IL
the name of the Great Spirit, that sh
will not try to go away from my village
she shall not be confined or guarded,
said LagOna.
"She cannot do so! If I can escape,
Wilt l cannot, l will die, and 60 up t.
the Great Spirit and say that Lagon
murdered mel"
The Comauche chief seemed troubled
Evidently he did not wish to treat Stell
Neutrality-suspicious., had he been left en-
tireIy to himself, he would have beel
willing to give her up to her father ratne
than to see her suffer thus; but Ada, viii
and smart, had gained considerable as
cendancy over him by her pretendet
power of dreams; and this, OF course
was used to further her own desires i
regard to the punishment OF Stella, so ia
as she could act without arOusing nj
sympathy too much for his captive. An
it was her delight if she could only sa
or do anything to torture the already to-
Wretched girl.
Chow would Stella like to gee no
father and sweet, dear Master Paul Nal
erson?" she asked in a snhering tone
while Lagona was for moment absent
Stella made no answer, but the though
thus cruelty awakened drew tears from
her eyes.
"They inquired after your health littl
while ago-Would have been glad to SCI
you, but we told them you didn't receiv
! company during the honeymoon" con
tinued Ada.
ooh, heavens! are they near2" sobbeC
Stella. "Have you seen my father? d.
not deceive me. l forgive your hatred
and your wrongs; but do not deceive me
Is my father near?"
t'I saw him less than half hour ago
and he was very angry because he coulC
not see you!" said Ada, with mOckin!
smile.
"On your soul, you did? You are no
uttering falsehood?"
son my soul, did. l wouldn't TAX
the trouble to lie for you"
"Oh, thank God-thsnk God! LsgonI
will not see me die when tt y are near
There is some manhood in his soul
Thank God-thank God" sali Stella, al
most wild with excitement.
"What is the matter with the White
Flower" asked Lagona, stornly, coming
in at this time.
ooh, If there is mercy in your heart, IL
the name of the Great Spirit, implor'
YOU to take me to my ia :her!" crieC
Stella, throwing herself at L Igona's feet
mHave you been telling Ger that w
have seen her father?" asked Lagona
with froWn, turning to Ada.
"She asked me questions, and l coulC
not Iie," said Ada in an hun hle tone.
"You are fool" said tn: angry chief;
and he turned upon his heel and left the
lodge, without giving any answer to the
request of poor Stella.
CHAPTER XII.
1t was night once more. The camp OF
the Rangers was gloomy and silent one
| for the men were tired, and though they
generally rejoiced in the thought of peril,
or az approaching battle, 'Aey did not
now, for they knew if they had to fight ii
would be with every disadvantage of po'
sition, and probably with overwhelming
odds against thsm.
Very shortly after darkness set in the
Major withdrew behind q screen of horse
blankets, which he had caused to be
raised something like tent, for the use
of himself, Mr.. Delorme end Paul, and
to the utter establishment of the two last
named individuals, began to divest him
self entirely of his clothing.